ATLANTA - Like many Americans, Jerry Henry is flying the flag outside his Fairburn home at half staff in memory of the children and teachers massacred at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school last Friday.

"It was a terrible thing that happened and nobody's for anything like that happening anywhere," he told 11 Alive news on Monday.

But as the Executive Director of GeorgiaCarry.Org, one of the state's most pro-gun groups, Henry still believes in the Constitutional right to defend himself.

He doesn't think tighter gun restrictions would have made any difference.

"If they're intent on doing evil, they will do evil and whatever weapon they have at hand, they will use," he added.

Meanwhile Atlanta public relations executive Mark DeMoss drew national attention to the issue with a Tweet.

"I am not leading a charge for gun control, but I am suggesting we've got to have some real serious dialogue," he told 11 Alive.

A conservative Christian and Republican political consultant, DeMoss helped George Romney's 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

His Saturday Tweet triggered a story the Politico website.

It said:

"Days since shooting at Columbine High? 4614. Progress on national gun debate? Zero. We're less tolerant of smoking in public than shooting."

DeMoss now believes some sort of tighter gun regulations should at least be on the discussion table, along with mental health, violent entertainment and the breakdown of the family.

"We have Freedom of Speech, which may be the most sacred freedom; it doesn't allow you to yell 'fire' in a crowded theatre," he added.

But the Republican political consultant also admits any conservative politician who comes out in favor of any form of gun restrictions will probably be risking his political career, especially in Georgia.

Meanwhile, the NRA has issued no statements on the Connecticut shootings.

It also shut down its Facebook page after apparent death threats against its leadership.